Finally time for new season as Shams in town

then so be it.

I know people have very little sympathy for football players but sometimes it’s hard for football players - not knowing from one year to the next where they will be, but we shouldn’t be critical of those who want to make a plan for their future. Gavin Peers has been at Sligo Rovers for longer than a lot of fans. He’s been a huge part of the club’s recent success.

He knows the club. He knows the fans. He knows Sligo. He knows what the club means to everyone. He just gets it. And this year he’s going to have to fight for his place, because he may be a while away yet in terms of fitness, and Leahy and Clancy have formed a solid partnership in the middle of defence. Fighting for a place in the team may be exactly what Peers needs. It’s a challenge for him and he may have to be patient before getting into the team but at least we all know what he’s capable of. It wouldn’t have been right if he was to leave Sligo Rovers after last year – a year in which he had to deal with a lot of flack. But that’s over now and he can move on.

I’m sure it will be weird for him too not having the likes of Alan Keane and Richard Brush about but that’s football. Peers is still only 30 – he has a few years left in him surely. Either way, he’s still committed to the cause and he’s now a part of this very new Sligo Rovers team. He’s been the one constant in a few years of change.

He’s a leader, and younger players will look upon his experience throughout the season.

It’s important the season doesn’t begin with a humiliation. I can accept a defeat once there is effort and fight from players.

As a wise man once said – you never recover from a bad start. Nobody is expecting Rovers to beat Shams – but all the pressure is on them.